Daily TEA - Meta Blocks Apple AI, Russia Eyes Stablecoin, and More
Meta, Stablecoin, Perplexity, Defense Tech, Huawei
Hello, dear TEA-mates! Here’s what you need to know today.
1.📱 Meta Blocks Apple Intelligence Features on Its iOS Apps
Meta has disabled Apple Intelligence features, like Writing Tools and Genmoji, across its iOS apps, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. Launched with iOS 18.1 in October 2024, Apple Intelligence offers AI-driven text editing and emoji creation, but Meta’s apps no longer support these, likely to promote its Meta AI suite. Users can still use Apple Intelligence in browsers or apps like Notes. Read More 9to5Mac
🍵 TEA For Thought: It’s not like Apple Intelligence is being used much anyway, but Meta’s move signals a growing AI rivalry.
2.💸 Russia Explores National Stablecoin After $27M USDT Freeze
Russia is considering a national stablecoin after $27 million in USDT was frozen due to sanctions violations. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign cryptocurrencies and navigate global financial restrictions. Discussions involve potential blockchain platforms, but no specific timeline or currency peg has been announced. Read More CoinMarketCap
🍵 TEA For Thought: Intriguing move—might Russia pivot to China’s RMB CBDC, UAE’s Dirham, or an AED-backed stablecoin?
3.🤖 Perplexity AI to Be Pre-Installed on Samsung and Motorola Smartphones
Perplexity AI, an AI-driven search platform, will be pre-installed on select Samsung and Motorola smartphones, enhancing on-device AI capabilities. Led by 30-year-old Indian founder Aravind Srinivas, this deal positions Perplexity to challenge Google by integrating directly into Android ecosystems. Read More The Decoder
🍵 TEA For Thought: Perplexity’s bold, unconventional strategy, driven by a young founder, keeps shaking up the AI scene.
4.🛡️ Defense Startup Theseus Lands $4.3M and US Special Forces Deal
Theseus, a defense tech startup founded by three 25-year-old engineers who met at a hackathon, secured $4.3 million and a US Special Forces contract after a viral tweet led to Y Combinator backing. The company develops autonomous systems for military applications, showcasing the power of social media and collaboration in defense innovation. Read More TechCrunch
🍵 TEA For Thought: A perfect example of how collaboration sparks innovation—iron sharpens iron, and one person’s idea elevates another’s.
5.☁️ Huawei’s CloudMatrix 384 Challenges Nvidia Amid Sanctions Workarounds
Huawei’s CloudMatrix 384, a 384-GPU AI cluster, outperforms Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72 in scale-up design, despite Huawei’s chips lagging a generation behind. Backed by the Chinese Communist Party, China faces no power constraints for such projects and is actively navigating chip sanctions to compete with Western AI firms. Read More SemiAnalysis
🍵 TEA For Thought: Huawei’s CCP-backed military ties mean Western AI firms face not just a company but a state-driven system, distinct from the Chinese people.
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